McQuaid Makes Comedy College

A Scot is one of six to have been accepted on a course being run by the BBC to develop comedy writing talent.

Colin McQuaid, who is on the writing team of BBC Radio Scotland's Ellis & Clarke Show and has also written comedy for BBC Radio Ulster, has won a place on the Corporation’s College of Comedy scheme, which lasts ten months.

The scheme involves the half dozen writers being mentored to produce original work and also attending a residential workshop where they will explore technique and craft with established writers and producers. They will also be attached to a current series to learn how production works.

The scheme is run by Micheál Jacob, formerly the BBC's Creative Head of Mainstream Comedy, and executive producer of My Family, 2 Pints Of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and The Smoking Room.

The scheme was launched last year, attracting support from many leading writers, including Armando Iannucci, Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong, Simon Nye, Jeremy Dyson, Susan Nickson and Hugo Blick, some of whom did sessions for the college.

The scheme is designed for people who have already begun their careers and can demonstrate some achievement, such as broadcast material, a script commission or performance of their work.